CPSC Warns of Baby Sling Dangers

(CBS)  The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning Friday that baby slings -- which parents put around their necks to carry their babies -- may pose a risk of suffocation.

In researching incident reports from the past 20 years, the CPSC identified and is investigating at least 14 deaths associated with sling-style infant carriers, including three in 2009. Twelve of the deaths involved babies younger than four months of age.

Don Mays, of Consumer Reports, explains that the potential hazards of putting small babies -- especially newborns -- into bag-style slings arise because, "A very young infant's head will be folded forward. That cuts off the airway, and they essentially suffocate. Another problem could be if the baby's head could be nestled up against the carrier's body."

The CPSC said many of the babies who died in slings were either a low birth weight twin, were born prematurely, or had breathing issues such as a cold. Therefore, it urged parents of preemies, twins, babies in fragile health and those with low weight to use extra care and consult their pediatricians about using slings.

Between 2006 and 2008, sales for soft infant carriers rose 43 percent, to more than $21 million, reports CBS News Correspondent Elaine Quijano, but there are no federal safety standards covering sling-type carriers.

"Don't use slings at all," Mays recommends. "There are safer ways of carrying your baby than in a sling."

A lesson that will always haunt Lisa Cochran, whose week-old infant, Derrik, suddenly stopped breathing as he rested quietly against her in May in a bag-style sling, made by Infantino. He died.

"(Such devices were) highly recommended -- especially for breast-feeding mothers and mothers in general. … (They) kept (the infants) close to your heart, so they could hear your heart beat."

Cochran, of Keizer, Ore., and who is pregnant again, says, "I, as a first-time mom, had no clue I could walk into a store and pick something off the shelf that wasn't safe."

She is suing the Infantino, which issued a statement to CBS News saying, "While Infantino believes that its Slingrider baby sling is a safe product, the company is working with the CPSC to address the agency's concerns and those of any parents and caregivers."

While Friday's CPSC warning will address the suffocation danger, Consumer Reports says at least 37 other children have suffered serious injuries, including skull fractures, while being carried in or falling out of baby slings. That led to a recall in 2007.

Nancy Cowles, executive director of Kids in Danger, a non-profit group working on product safety issues, told co-anchor Erica Hill the CPSC needs to "look closely" at the carriers in which the deaths occurred to see if "there does need to be a specific recall of specific products, but the warning, additional instructions and a standard, frankly, for these products is what's needed to make sure that … when you go to the store to buy something, you know that someone has already made sure that it's going to be safe for your child."

"It should be noted that women have been using slings for centuries safely to carry their babies. Obviously, the ones involved in the deaths, I think people should wait to hear the CPSC's warning to see if there's anymore specific information. But with these products, you need to make sure you're using one that's been recommended to you, that they have adequate safety information, either on their Web site or that comes with the product, and that you check with someone and that you see what your baby's position is in it at all times, not just when you first put them in it, to make sure that it's going to be something that will keep them in a safe position."

Cowles suggested that parents suggest slings with their doctors, but it "certainly would not hurt to wait" to use them until a baby is several weeks old and has more control of his or her head.

[Aubrey8888]

The slings that were recalled always looked unsafe to me. I cringed seeing a baby pretty much folded up in them and hanging down at mom or dad's waist. That is NOT how you baby wear and it's a shame they are tarnishing all slings. Baby should be up on your chest and always visible. I learned loads about various slings at http://www.ababycarrier.com. When practiced safely, babywearing is an invaluable tool and amazing experience.

[earonesty]

Actually, most of the times these deaths are seriously investigated (both stroller and sling deaths), it is ruled to be a case of child abuse.

[wisrdr]

I am personally aware of one of these situations. I can assure you that a parent can be extremely intelligent and capable and have this happen. The problem as I see it is that 1) we don't have mothers who pass this down from generation to generation in our culture as in others where these have been used for "centuries" and 2) they are sold casually as though they are a piece of clothing instead of a contraption that needs explanation and demonstration in order to use properly. Then the sling advocates come and push these on everyone and say how great they are, they are best for baby, etc. With all this pressure, it's no wonder that new mothers, who are coping with the first time with the demands of an infant, don't realize how dangerous these things can be. It's about time they warned about them. My daughter would never stand to be put in one, and I am thankful that I trusted her and my instincts and stayed away from these things. Either you are paying attention to the baby, or you are multi-tasking -- you can't do both all the time, as sling advocates would have you believe.

[annabelle32]

After being attacked, first by my sister and then by some random guy at the local Menards today for using a baby sling I decided it was time to look this news story up and see what it was about (missed the news the last couple of days, thanks to a beautiful baby boy that I keeps me busy). Having now read the above news story I have to say that I am appalled at the way this was presented...I do believe that parents need to be warned that proper use and vigilance is necessary when using ANY baby products...but it is not the manufacturers fault that mommy didn't wear/check on baby. I personally use the Infantino SlingRider, which it seems is the sling all the fuss is about, and I LOVE it...As a vigilant, protective mother, I am constantly checking to make sure that his airway is never blocked, his head is in an upright position, and that there is no material covering his face. One aspect that I really love about this sling is that my son is strapped in and I can pull him into an upright position against my body while I'm walking around and not worry about him sliding or falling out...Also, it provides a very private way to nurse while in public, which is SUPER nice...How a mother could use any item and not constantly be checking on her child, making sure he/she is breathing and in a comfortable position is beyond me and I think these mothers need to take responsibility for their lack of vigilance and quit blaming the equipment they use!

[Caerlt]

I am perplexed. Baby slings in some form or another have been around for hundreds of years, across many cultures, all over the world.

[JulianArtsDoula]

http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/nursery05.pdf

What is the CPSC talking about? How are 7 deaths in 11 years from slings more serious than the 182 deaths that occurred from infant car seat/carriers between 2003-2006? Is a baby bucket the "safer" way to carry your baby that Mr Mays is referring to? I sure hope not.

[maiingan]

Stories like this reinforce my opinion that the traditional Native American cradleboard (there are many tribal styles) is one of the safest ways to carry baby. I know a modern version can be designed which can be mass-produced here in the U.S.A. (because I designed it). Mass media are either appallingly ignorant - or racist - in their continuing failure to include the cradleboard in stories like this.

[JulianArtsDoula]

7 deaths in 11 years from improper sling use. However, for the 10 year time period between 1995-2005, there were 22 stroller-related deaths for children under the age of 5 reported to CPSC. A majority of these deaths involved suffocation, entrapment or positional asphyxiation of an infant. 3x the amount of death in less time. Where are the anti-stroller crusaders?

"Don't use slings at all," Mays recommends. "There are safer ways of carrying your baby than in a sling." I hope Mays does not mean a stroller?

"Cochran, of Keizer, Ore., and who is pregnant again, says, "I, as a first-time mom, had no clue I could walk into a store and pick something off the shelf that wasn't safe." Huh???? the toothbrush you let your child brush their teeth with could get jammed into the roof of their mouth if they run with it...they can cram one of their socks into their mouth and choke...anything that you can buy, make, find, grow, can be unsafe for a child. Finding something on the shelf of my local Wal-Mart is hardly an endorsement for its safety!

[faedemere]

Having worn all 3 of my children in various styles of soft fabric carries I know how valuable a tool a baby sling/carrier can be. From the information I've read (not present in this article) it is the Infantino Slingrider (a 'bag' style sling) that has caused deaths. People in the babywearing communtiy have been trying to get this product recalled for over 2 years now because we could take one look at it and know it wasn't safe.
I teach classes on babywearing and the very 1st thing we go over is safety. And the number one issue is making sure baby has a clear airway and that their face is NOT covered. It is common sense as said in a previous comment, but not all people exercise their common sense.
IF you are going to wear your baby then I highly recommend finding a support group through Babywearers International and learning how to do it safely and correctly.

[lkmm]

I am sorry for anyone who has lost a child, no matter what age, it must be horrible to experience that. Want to know the #1 reason for death in infant and childhood? Accidents! Many of those accidents could have been prevented if their parents had used common sense! When it comes to using slings (which have been proven to have positive effects when used properly- reduced colic, closer bond with the parent, smarter children, happier children, more independent, and self confident children, and the list goes on..)people need to use common sense! We would not leave our child in a swing or in thier bed with out checking on them frequently, why wouldnt we check on them while they are in a sling, right next to our body where all we have to do is look down??? Every sling has warnings included now, because of those people without common sense- so, read the instructions! You should always position your baby so that they are able to breathe (you wouldnt put them in bed with blankets over their head- I hope...), you should always support your baby by holding it close to your body when you are moving, and you shouldnt bend straight over (DUH), allowing the baby to fall out- but squat down! Please, people, use common sense! Don't suffocate your babies in slings, dont leave them alone in the bathtub, and always have them in restrained properly in a car seat when in a vehicle!
Please... Lets try to keep our babies safe!